Bottle crate



s. J. BLACKWELL .2,416,147

,BOTTLE CRATE Feb. 18, 1947.

Filed Jan. 4, 1944 6 Sheets -Sheet-l Feb. 18, 1947. s. .1. BL A CKWELL 2,416,147

5 BOTTLE CRATE- Filed Jan. 4, 1944 6 SheetsShet 2.

NH Mm WI mp N N ll? Patented Feb. 18, 1947 UNITED STATE BOTTLE CRATE Sanford J. Blackwell, St. Louis, Mo. Application January 4,1944, Serial No. 516,963 1 4 claims. (of. 217-19) This invention relates to bottle crates.

An object of this invention is to provide a crate for bottles which is so constructed and arranged that it maybe readily stacked and may be used for not only holding bottles in a delivery vehicle, but also for holding bottles in a cooler.

A crate constructed accordingto this invention is provided with a skeleton frame construction having closure members about the sides and ends so that the cold will be retained within the crate. In this manner the crated bottles may be placed in a refrigerator, and when placed in a delivery vehicle the closed walls of the crate will retain the coolness so that the material, such as milk, cream or the like, in the bottles will not deteriorate before delivery.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved liner for a bottlecrate which will. constitute a heat insulating means for insulating the contents of the crate. i a

Another object of this invention is to; provide a bottle crate which is formedof a skeleton frame I and closure means for closingthe sides and ends of the frame.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination with a bottle crate or carrier, an insulating liner adapted to engage about the interior of the side and end Walls, the liner being formed of fibrous sheets, suchas cardboard or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide as a new article of manufacture, a liner construction for bottle crates-or carrierswhich includes relatively stiff sheets of cardboard formed with scored opposite ends sothat the ends of the sheets may be bent around thecorners of thecrate or carrier, and the adjacent ends of adjacent sheets are disposed in overlappingrelation so as to provide a, tight seal.

A further object of this invention is to provide a crate or carrier which maybe easily stacked in firm columns.

To the foregoing objects and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to and illustrated in the accompanyingv drawings, wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

. ill-l0 of Figure 9,

away andin, sectionof amodified form of this I, I invention,

Figure l is a perspective view of a bottle crate constructed according to an embodiment off'this invention, P

.on the line H-H of Figure 3, 1

Figure 2 is a bottom plan of thecrate, v N Figure 3 is a top plan partly in horizontal section of the crate,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4+4 of is fi,

Figure'5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a perspectiveview of the liner embodied in this invention,

,Figure 'Tis a fragmentarysectional view taken substantially on the line 1+1 of Figure 4,

Figure 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the lower portion and one corner of the crate,

Figure 8a is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 8a-8a of Figure 8,v

Figure;9 is a fragmentary top plan 0f the bottom forming structure,

, Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional View taken FigurelZ is a detail side elevation partly broken Figure 13 is a sectional view takenon the line |3l3 of Figure 12, and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 14-44 of Figure 12.

Referringto the drawings, and first to Figures 1 to 11. inclusive, the numeralv l5 designates generally the skeleton frame of a crate designed for holding bottles, such as milk bottles, beer and beverage bottles, or thelike. Theframe includes an upper rectangular frame member l6 which'is formed of Opposite. side bars or strips 11 and end bars or strips ll fi. The frame structure also includes lowerframe members l9, and 20, the frame members [9' being lower side frame members, and the frame members 20, being lower end frame members. The upper and lower frames are connected together by upright supportingimembers to 24fare secured as. by rivets 25 to the upper frame It and are secured as by rivets 26 to the lower frame comprising the side and end frame memberswand 20."

[Right angular/inner corner members 21fare disposed between-adjacent side and end members ITand1l8and the rivets or'fastening members 25extend through the reinforcing angle members 21. ,Anouter L-s haped or right angular bracing member. 28 engages about the "outer, sides, of the corner membersl I ;to.24 inclusive and are secured to the cornermember's Iand to the upper frame b the rivets or fastening members 25. Lower'right angular or L-shaped members 29 'engage'about the lowerposts 2| to 24, inclusive andare securedto the lower frame members and 20 by the rivj ets or fastening members 26. The lower reinforcing members 29 engage the outer sides of the'corupper ends of the intermediate end members 44' and 45 are secured to the upper end members N3 of the frame I'Bby fastening members 48. The

I lower ends of the end members 44 and 45 as ner members 2| to 24 and engage on the outer;

sides of the frame members l9 and 2! The lower ends of the uprights .2 I to .24. are rap beted as at 31! forming a reduced extension 3! engaging on the inner sides of the lower frame members. I9 and so that the fastening members- 7 26 will tightly hold the upright corner members against the inner sides of the lower frame-bom struction. Inner angled corner members 32 .are ,disposed on the inner side of the crate the row-- shown in Figure 5 are rabbeted as at 49, thereby providing a reduced extension 53 engaging on the inner sides of the end members 20, and the;

extensions 58 secured to the end members 20 by fastening members 5|. v V

The skeleton frame structure hereinafter. de-

scribed is adapted to be'closed. on the sides and ends thereof and in closing the sides of the frame structure, I have provided closure members 52 er portion thereof and engage on one' 'leg. .tliere-i i of against the inner side'Of the reducedexten sions 3! of the corner posts. rights 33 are disposed at the sides of the crate being secured as by fastening members M-to the buter sides of the upper sidem'embers l1 and secured as by fastening members "9S 5 to? the lower side frame members H9. The lower ends O-f'the:

intermediate members 33 are rabbet'ed-asindicated at 36 in Figure ,4, thereby forming a refaces of the lower side members I 9".

duced extension 3'! whihfen'gages on the-inner As shown in Figure 4, theupper "frame provided with asho'ulder or rabbet38-be1owthe up 7 per end thereof and theupp'er ends of the side members 3?. engage against the rabbet 3 8' and thereby provide :as'uppor't for the upper frame #6. The upper frame l6 .hasfa' substantial portion thereof projecting above the upper e'ndsof the corner members/2| to 24 and the side them bers 33 so that these crates may be stacked one upon the other, the upper frame lfi" providing Intermediate 'up-" which engage between the intermediate members 33 and theoutermost members 39. These closure members 52 are beveled meat 53 and 54 at their 'upper an'd lower ends and on the outer sides supported on upper and lower rods .55 and 56 which are extended horizontally throughv the closure members 52 and are alsoextended horiand 39 and adjacent cornermembers.

Theoppositeends of the frame structure are 2 closed 'by'inclined closure members 51 andby a relatively short closure member 53. The short closure member 58 extends between the intermediate members QM and45 and is of a-length to extend from the cutouts '46 and '47 to the up- 7 per edgesof the end member 2!]. The closure means at the upper ends of the crates whereby the lower end ofa succeedingpcrat'e may, partly telescope a lower'ycrate'.

With a construction of this kind f the conventionalprojectingcorner pieces heretofore used p in crates of this type will be eliminated.

The outermost intermediate,members 39' are disposed in edge abutting'rel'ation to. the corner members 2! to 24 and theiupp'er and. lower brac- L ing members 28 and 12*9'overlap the outermost intermedia'temembers'29,"as shown more clearly in Figure 1. The corner members, 2| to 24 inclusive 1 areform'ed' withconc'ave inner side portions witnrconeaveginner portions "41' sotha't bottles may be disposed within the crate closely adjacent 1 the corners thereof,-the concave inner side portions 30 and '41 providing clearance for the large 1 body portions of thebottles; Thelowerends of the outermo t members 39' as shown in Figure 8 a 3 have fa reduced extension 42 engaging on the in- 1 nersides of the 'lowersideimemb'er's l9 and the lower end members 20.

members 5"! and 58 are mounted on a' pair of supporting rods 59 and 60 which extend through the closure members 57 and 58 and alsothrough the intermediate end members '44 and and adjacent corner members. I

The lower edges of the lower frame members l9 and '20 are protected or shielded by means of metal runners 6! whichare of; substantially U- shape and" these runners or guard members have a relatively long outer leg. 62 which at its upper end isprovided with an inwardly projecting extension 63 engaging in a horizontal slot formed in the outer sides of the 'side and end" members is and 2's; respectively.

The corner members '2l'to'24 inclusive are; also. shielded by means of U-shaped guard members which have a relatively long outer leg 66' terand the outermost members 39 arealso formed Inorder to provide'an additional bracing memthereof, I have provided an elongatedbra'cing o'f the crate there are ositioned. a pair of upright i intermediatem'embersAland 45 which are proi vided" with confronting cutouts and 41ndent'their' upper endf'portions so as tofform a j whereb'y a hand may be "readily .e'x-" are space between-the'cutouts 4's and asping the end frame members?! The 1 1 beratth'et corners of the crate in the lower portion 6 9 and 7 0 are of 'like'construction and are each minating' in an inwardly projecting extension 61-. 'The, corner members 2! to 24,,inclusive,'are formed with a vertical slot fifiwithin which the The closure "members 52 are zontally through the intermediate members -33 extension 61 is adapted to engage. The exten sion 61 holds the guard member 65 against lateral movement with respect to'acorner member, it being understood that each guard member'is slipped on the corner member during the assembly of the crate.

The frame structure l5 also includes a pair o'f' spaced apart dividers E9 and ill. The dividers or partitions 69 and 10 at their outer ends abut against the end uprights ie-and 45, respectively,

and are secured re'lative"to'the end uprights by meanspf dowels H. The, dividers or partitions formed with oppositely disposed lengthwise spaced apart'concave recesses 2 and i3 providing'additional space for receiving bottles ,for hold-- ing. the bottles against movement lengthwise of the crate. q V

'Upperand lower pairs: of transverselyextenm ing partition rods 14 and 15 extend throug-hthe dividers or partitions 69 and "iflfand are meme ed in inwardly opening sockets 16 and I1, respectively, which are formed in the intermediate upright frame members33. The'rods 'l4 and I5 cooperate with the dividers B9 and I8 in forming the desiredbottle receiving chambers within the rods I8 and I9 are positioned below thedividers r 89andy'l8, and each pair of rods I8 and 19 engages through the upwardlyopening slots, 88 and 8| which are formed in a pairof elongated strips 82 and 83, respectively, which are positioned against the lower edges of the dividers 68 and I8.

The rods I8 and I9 overlapeach other at their inner ends in the slot 8! and as shown in Figure 10 the rod I8 is formed'with a down-turned end portion 84 which engages in a hole 85 formed in the supporting strip 83. The inner end of the rod I9 is bent downwardly at right angles as indicated at 88 and the right angular ex tension 86 engages in an opening 81 formed in the strip 83. The strips 82 and 83 at the opposite ends thereof are beveled oif as indicated at 88 and 89; respectively, so that these crates may be used on an endless conveyor and the strips 88 and 83 may provide runners. engageable with the conveyor. The beveled end portions 88 and 88 also form spaces 98 betweenthe ends of the strips 82 and 83, and the adjacent end members 28 so that the upper frame or rim I6 of a lower crate may telescope into the bottom of an upper crate.

The longitudinal strips 82 and 83 are held against the dividers 89 and I8 by means of U- shaped straps or clips 9| which have the bights 82 thereof engaging in transverse slots 93 formed in the longitudinal strips and the-parallel legs 94 of the supporting clips are formed with open lugs 95 through which the lower rods extend.

Referring now to Figures 12, 13 andl l, there is disclosed a modified form of this crate which is identical with'the crate shown in Figure 1 with the exceptions hereinafter set forth. The crate shown in Figures 12, 13 and. 14 includes an upper frame structure IEa similar in every detail'to the frame I6, corner forming members 2m similar to the corner members 2| to 24, inclusive, and a bottom frame structure including bottom frame members Mia and 28a. Intermediate vertical frame; members 33a are disposed I 8a and 28a and the upper ends of the plates are provided with inwardly projecting flanges 98 as shown in Figure 13. The inner end of the flange 98 engages below the shoulder 38c which is formed in the outer side of the upper frame lfia. In other respects the crate shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14 is identical with the crate shown in Figures 1 to 11, inclusive.

Referring now to Figure 8 it will be noted that the reinforcing strip 43 is extended inwardly from .the end of thecrate and overlaps the lower portion of the extension3'l ofan adjacent intermediate upright 33. The lowermost transverse partition rod I5 is extended through the inner endof the strap 43 so as to cooperate with the outermost rivet 28 in holding the strap 43 against endwise movement. I9 and 28 on their inner sides are formed with inwardly projecting flanges 89 as shown in Figure 8a and the lowerends of the extensions 3| and 3'! of the uprights 2| to 24, 33 and 39 engage on the upper sides of the flanges 99. o

The crate hereinbefore described is adapted to be additionally insulated by means of a fibrous liner generally designated as I88. The liner. I88 comprises opposite side members II and opposite end members I82. The side members I8I at the oppositevertical edges thereof are provided inwardly-from the vertical edges with a pair of parallel scores I83 and A84. The scores I83 and .584 provide a means whereby the opposite vertical edges of the side members I8I. may be bent around the corners of the crate.

The side memberslili are also formed adjacent their lower edges with upwardly extending slots E85 whereby the side liner members |8| may be slipped downwardly over the partition rodsI I and 75. Preferably, the lower ends of the slots M5 are flared outwardly and downwardly as at I88, The end liner members I82 are adapted to extend across the ends of the crate and the opposite ends of the liner members I82 are formed with pairs of vertical scores I8! and I08 whereby the opposite ends of the end liners may be bent around the corners in overlapping relation with and I8. The lower ends of the slots I89 are flared outwardly, as at M8 to facilitate the positioning of the liners.

In the use of this'crate the transverse rods I4 and "I5 and the longitudinal dividers; 69 and 78.. The crate or ,carri'e'r'isf of sufiicient height so that the tops of the bottles will not project thereabove.. The bottoms of the bottles will rest on the bottom forming'rods I8 and I8. When the filled crates are placed in cold storage, theliller I 88 may be eliminated or re moved so that the cold air may more readily contact with the bottles. The crates may be stacked one upon the other, the projecting portion of the upper frame I6 of a lower crate engaging in the interior of the lower frame formed by the bottom members I3 and 28 of a succeeding crate and. in the spaces 98 between the ends of the longitudinal strips 83. r

When the crates are taken out of cold storage for delivery, the liner |88 may be inserted by slipping the end members I82 in position and bending the oppositeendsof the end members I82 around the adjacent corners of the crate. The side members I8l may then be slipped in position with the opposite ends of the side members- |8I bent around the corners and interiorly of the bent portions of the end members I82. The liner I88 will thereupon provide an addition- The lower frame members the filled bottles may be placed in the several compartments formed by er; period.

' strength than the skeleton frame.

fil and fia -for-insulating the. bottles so that the ceolness of the bottles will be retained for a long- By forming thecrate with the closure pieces 52, and 58, these'pieces may be made out of wood substantially lighter in weightand of 'less 7 In this manher the entire crate will weigh less than would be the case if the crate were made out of the samekind of wood which is normally afairly hard and tough wood. In other words, the closure 'pieces'imay be made out of gum, poplar or similar soft wood, whereas the skeleton-frame t5 may be made out of hickory, ash or similar hard and-tough wood... i

The crate hereinbefore described may alsofbe made either entirely or partly out of metal and also out of plastic either partially'orentirely, or a combination of wood, metal and plastic.

This crate has been designed for withstanding rough handling 50 that it will last for an exceedingly long period of time and will accomplish the purpose for which it has beeh designed during its entire life. 'The liner while designe'd for insertion within the crate hereinbefore described may also be used'with other types of crates or care 'riers, su-ch-as wire crates or carriers for insulating such crates or carriers. 1 I

The liner will not only act as an insulating medium to keep the bottles cold when removed from coldstorage, but in cold Weather the liners maybe retained in the crates while the latter are on the delivery vehicle so as to keep the bottles from freezing. The liners also constitute a. sanitaryme dium as theykeep dirt and other foreign matter from entering. the sides and ends ofthe crates. I

It will beunderstood'that the top of the upper- V mostcrate of ajs-tack, orthe top of a single crate may be closed by means of a rectangular plate which may be made out of cardboard, fiberboard,

metalgwoodforany other sheet material either rigid, flexible or partially rigid.

a f While" at this time the liner is designed to be made: out of cardboard, fiberboard or the like,

willibe'. understood that the liner may be made out of rubber, rubber composition, either natural '01 synthetic or out of anysuitable material V 'What'I claim is:

.1. A bott'le crate comprising a skeleton frame com-prising upper and lower rectangular frame 1 members, spaced uprights secured between'said 1 f ame members, a pair" of longitudinal dividers said frame, pairs of transversely extending compartment forming bars extending through dividers and embedded in certain of said tending transversely of. said frame and embedded in said lower frame member said lower frame member having lengthwise channels in the outer sides'and ends thereof, U-shaped runners engaging over the lower edges of said lower frame memberganda flange carried by each runner engagg ing in a channel to thereby hold said runner in applied position. i

2..;A bottle crate comprising a skeleton frame 1 comprising upper and lower.rectangular'frame members; spaced uprights secured between said frame members, a pair of longitudinal dividers in said frame, pairs of transversely extending compartment forming bars extending through said dividers and embeddedin certain of said uprights, pairs of bottom forming bars" extending transcomprising upper and lower rectangular'frame members, angledbracing members for saidframe members, spaced uprights secured between said frame members, arpair of longitudinal dividers in said frame, pairs of, transversely extending compartment forming barsv 1 extending through said dividers and embedded in certain of said up 7 rights, and pairs of bottom forming bars'extendg-hts, and pairs of bottom forming bars 6X:

ing transversely of said frame and embedded in said lower frame members said lower frame memher having lengthwise channels in the outer sides and ends thereof, U-shaped runners engagingover the lower edges of said lowerframe member,

and a flange carried by each runner engaging in a channel to therebyhold said runner inapplied position. I

4.A bottle crate comprising a skeleton frame comprising upper and lower rectangular frame members, pairs of inner and outer angledbracing members for'said frame'members, spaced upright-s secured between said frame members, a pair of longitudinal dividers in said frame, pairs of transversely extendingcompart-ment forming bars extending through said dividers and embedded in certain of'said uprights and-pairs of bottom forming bars extending transversely of said frame and embedded in said lower frame members said 'lowerframe member having lengthwise channels in the outer'sides and ends thereof, U-sha-ped runners engaging overthe lower edges "of said lower frame member, and a. flange carried'by 1 each runner engaging in a. channel to thereby hold said runner in applied position. V

' SANFORD J. BLACKWELL.

7 ,REFERENCES CITED The following references file of this patent:

UNITED STATES, PATENTS Number I Name Date 1 988,062 Armstrong et al. Mar. 28,1911 1,193,980 Bowen .Aug. 8, 1916 873,086 Repetto Dec. 10, 1907 2,134,251 'Hopwood Oct. 25, 1938 796,578. Hulbert Aug- 8, 1905 1,236,634 Waxel s Aug. 14,1917 2,031,694 Croce Feb. 25, @1936 2,314,143 Hendricks et al. Mar. 16, 1943 678,826 Mathys. July 16, 1901 697,463 Ferres Apr. 15, 1902 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 7 Date.

are of record in the French 'S ept. 10, 193 

